DennisF
New Member
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2008
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 1
- Vehicle Year
- 1998
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Automatic
I have not seen this problem posted, but here's a solution that worked for me. I had my airbag dash light flashing a code 25 and then remain on. When I switched the Passenger Airbag (PAD) switch OFF, the light would remain dark. When I switched the PAD switch ON, the light would light and indicate OFF. Essentially opposite of what you'd expect.
Airbag code 25 identifies a problem with the PAD switch. On my '98 Ranger, the PAD switch is located on the center lower panel next to the ashtray and consists of a lamp, two low tolerance resistors, a magnetic reed SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) switch, and a magnet mounted on the switch tumbler. After checking all the components individually, I checked the reed switch itself, and found it was resistive in the OPEN position. A SPDT switch is normally OPEN through one contact and normally CLOSED through the other contact. If it becomes resistive in the OPEN position, it means the contacts are sticking from wear or misalignment. There is no mechanical repair of the magnetic reed switch since it is a switch sealed in a glass tube. But..... there is a way to "excercise" the switch. I found that by moving an extremely strong magnet toward and away from the magnetic reed switch you can cause it to move its contacts much more than normally, effectively causing it to rub its contacts clean. You can actually monitor the improvement by connecting a sensitive ohmmeter to the switch while you are "excercising" it.
If you're getting a airbag code 25, try this solution. It's cheap and easy.
Airbag code 25 identifies a problem with the PAD switch. On my '98 Ranger, the PAD switch is located on the center lower panel next to the ashtray and consists of a lamp, two low tolerance resistors, a magnetic reed SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) switch, and a magnet mounted on the switch tumbler. After checking all the components individually, I checked the reed switch itself, and found it was resistive in the OPEN position. A SPDT switch is normally OPEN through one contact and normally CLOSED through the other contact. If it becomes resistive in the OPEN position, it means the contacts are sticking from wear or misalignment. There is no mechanical repair of the magnetic reed switch since it is a switch sealed in a glass tube. But..... there is a way to "excercise" the switch. I found that by moving an extremely strong magnet toward and away from the magnetic reed switch you can cause it to move its contacts much more than normally, effectively causing it to rub its contacts clean. You can actually monitor the improvement by connecting a sensitive ohmmeter to the switch while you are "excercising" it.
If you're getting a airbag code 25, try this solution. It's cheap and easy.